The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-11
KNIGHTS AND CATHOLICS.
Cardinal Gibbons Disapproves of
Boycotts and Strikes-A Lively Fight.

MINNEAPoLIs, Oct. 10.-The Knights Of
Labor assembly convened at the usual time
this morning. There was little business of
Importance. The time was consumed in the
hearing of reports and the appointing of
committees. There was not very full at
tendance. The hotel lobbies swarmed with
Knights. Among the majority there is an
unmistakabe feeling Of satisfaction at the
sentiments presented by Mr.. Powderly in
his report on the attitude of the order and
the Catholic church. This report. which
was given out last evening, gives the visit OF
Mr. Powderly TO Cardinal Gibbons. During
the interview, which was Of long duration.
Cardinal Gibbons said
After what we have just learned, the
present condition of the order is to us an
unmistakable indication that the control of
your organization still rests with the con-
servative element, and is a guarantee that
there will be no rash departures from
those features Of its policy which commend
forbearance ard respect, II not the approval
of the entire country. With prudent leaders
and a wise general policy your vast and rap
idly increasing army Of wage workers is des-
tined to exert = tremendous influence in the
social and political affairs of the country.
"We now infer that the objects Of the
Knights of Labor are praiseworthy and in
no way opposed to the views Of the Catholic
church. Catholic prelates will declare in
favor Of the Catholic church in America
taxing the side of the weaker against the
stronger. We readily believe that to rescue
the toiler from the grasp of the selfish is a
work worthy of the noblest and best of our
race, and recognize that it is to the accom-
plishment of that grand object that the order
of the Knights of Labor is bending its every
energy.
''The church is justly watchful against all
secret organizations. There is no need of
secrecy where the ends and methods of or
ganization are justifable. Secrecy gives rise
to the presumption that there is something
which will not bear the light of day. The
Catholic church is the most visible to all ere
alton and 1t instinctively guards against Sc
crecy and cOncealment.
The denial of the right of the church to
Interfere with her children when she fears
their course Is dangerous to morals or perl
lons to the security Of society cannot be sus-
tanned in any way, either upon Catholic or
Protestant teaching or practice. Organiza-
ton is the basis of all progress, political, So
cial and religious.
''We condemn the work of the Anarchists.
Like Samson of old they would fain pull
down the edifice which shelters them even
though they should perish in the ruins.
Socialism takes definite position beyond the
pale OF the church and announces such an
extreme policy that one does not need to
hesitate moment to reach the conclusion as
to its merits and influence. We express full
faith in the maintenance of friendship be-
tween the church and the order as long as
you keep from affilation with dangerous as
soclatlons and devote yourselves to lthe full
hllment OF your legitimate mission. l enter
tain the hope that good councils will prevail
in your deliberations and that calm conser-
vatlve spirit will prevail in all your proceed
ings,
1T is self-evident that there should be no
conflict between capital and labor since both
necessary the WI nd ON
cannot subsist without the other. Expert
ence has proved that strikes are question
able remedy for redress of your grievances.
Boyc0tting infrlnges on the just rights of
others, and will therefore never meet with
approval from an observing public"
Mr.. Powderly says that there Is no reason
to fear that the order as an association will
falsify the good character given it by the
American prince of churches. The organiZa-
ton is. entirely free from the elements of
sectarian religious discussion and its funda-
mentals are of kind to guard it against all
disturbing influences.
The livelst session of the Knights Of La
Dor Assembly was held this afternoon.
James Z. Quinn of DISTRICT Assembly 40 Of
New fork, the famous Kicker" and Home
Club man, presented the following resolu-
tion under suspension of the rules:
Considering that the development of the human
mind IN the 18th century has reached point that
II mas expressed almost universally against capt.
tal punishment, OF the taking of human Dy Judi
clal process as relic OF barbarsm therefore Be it
Resolved, That this convention express sorrow
that the men in ChicogO were doomed to death
and that II use every endeavor to secure a com
mutation OF the sentence of death passed upon
them.
The resolution was no sooner read than
every delegate in the hall was on his feet
General Master Workman P0wderly decid-
ed the resolution out of order.
Joseph Evans of Pittsburg, appealed from
the decision.
The appeal was lost 151 TO SO.
Before the appeal was taken Powderly
called General Worthy Foreman Griffiths of
Chicago to the chair, and in short but vehe-
ment speech called upon the convention to
defeat the resolution. He said no true
Knight could be an Anarchist He appealed
to the delegates in impassioned words not to
pervent the purposes of the order by the pas
sage of any such resolutions. 1t was the
hottest speech Powderly was ever known to
make. -------.
Quinn, who offered the resolution, voted
aye on the appeal in order to move recon-
sideration.
I. II. Lawrey of Pennsylvania. made
burning speech.
AT $3.50 p. m. the convention was in a per-
fect pandemonium, the shouts being heard
some distance from the hall. The session
closed at six o'clock. All the delegates are
close mouthed about it,